Eye: Richard Clarke Murder Case Renewed

Suffolk Police are renewing their appeal for information on the three-year anniversary of the death of Richard Clarke

Mr Clarke, aged 73, died after being found collapsed on his driveway in Cranley Green Road in Eye on Saturday 22nd August 2009.

The Norfolk and Suffolk Joint Major Investigation Team has carried out extensive inquiries and as a result of this work it is suspected that Mr Clarke was the victim of an assault, which resulted in him receiving his fatal head injury.

To date the investigation has not been able to establish any motive for this attack, and detectives are again appealing for witnesses to come forward.

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Neil Luckett said, “We are now three years on from Richard’s death, and it is both frustrating and disappointing that we still do not know who assaulted him and why. I am very grateful to Crimestoppers for their assistance in publicising this case over the past year, and despite receiving information as a result of their appeals and the reward that was offered, we have not been able to give Richard’s family the answers and closure they need.”

On the afternoon of Friday 21st August 2009 Richard Clarke went to The Horseshoes Public House in Billingford and left in a taxi. He stopped to pick up a Chinese meal in Eye at about 7 o’clock and he arrived at his home, Park Dale, at about 7.15 pm.

It is thought that Mr Clarke consumed part of his meal in the driveway of his home. A witness saw a male, believed to be Mr Clarke, apparently sat in his driveway holding his head just after 8 o’clock. It is possible he had sustained his head injury by this time. The next time he was seen was when he was discovered seriously injured in the early hours of Saturday morning 22nd August 2009.

DCI Luckett said, “It is of crucial importance that any information people have in relation to this, however small, is reported to us. We still believe that people living in and around Eye hold the key to this investigation and we would urge them to come forward. Anyone who was in the area of Park Dale on the evening of Friday 21st August 2009 may have seen or heard something which could assist this case - this part of the town would have been reasonably busy with dog walkers, anglers who use the local lakes and other passing traffic along the B1077. I also want to hear from anyone who may have any information about what happened to Richard Clarke that weekend.

“These types of offences are extremely rare in Suffolk and it is only with the support of the public that police can gather sufficient information to solve these types of serious crimes. If you have any information that may help the investigation please call Suffolk Police on 01473 613500, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111”